Arch support



G. BAUER ARCH SUPPORT June 7, 1938.

Filed Oct. 20

Patented June 7, 1938 UNHTED STATS PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to arch supporting inserts, and more particularly to an insert of this character incorporated in a slip sole or the like which may be inserted in a previously manufactured boot or shoe.

The purpose and object of the invention is to provide a new and greatly improved arch support capable of employment within a shoe and readily adjustable as to height and form in order to accommodate the varying conditions in the foot of the user.

This and other objects are attained in the present invention through the provision of an arch supporting pocket in a slip sole distended at its inner edge and detachably closed at its outer edge to permit substitution or renewal of the filling medium, the pocket being filled with a material such as sponge rubber scrap which provides a yielding support readily conforming to the foot of the wearer, capable of retaining indefinitely the shape and form which it is caused to assume, and capable of modifying both the shape and height of the arch support through through the use of more or less material and the degree to which the material may be packed. This type of arch support not only accomplishes the corrective function with comfort to the wearer, but avoids the difficulties inherent in nonrigid supports previously made in that such supports tended to distort and lose their preformed shape. Any tendency on the part of the present support to become distorted during continued use -may be readily overcome by repacking of the filling ingredient.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 represents a perspective of the improved arch supporting insole; Fig. 2 is a section through the insert on the line 22 showing the filling ingredient; and

Fig. 3 illustrates the insert within a shoe and the method of supporting the arch.

The supporting insert as illustrated comprises a slip sole ll] of any suitable material, having a cushion face of napped material as indicated at 12. Attached to the slip sole is a flap I 4 extending throughout the heel and the shank portion of the insole. This flap is cut to the shape of the slip sole and is stitched thereto at l6 and 18 to permanently close the ends in a generally convex curve and provide an insole pocket. The pocket is closed at the side by a closure of textile material 2% of sumcient width to permit complete distention of the pocket at the inside edge which corresponds with the inner edge of the sole.

The outer edge of the pocket is detachably closed by one or more clip members 22, which are intended to permit opening of the pocket for the insertion of sponge rubber in divided form such as scrap, indicated at 24. This filling material will normally be packed in the pocket in such a 5 manner that it becomes progressively higher from the outer to the inner edge of the sole. The pocket as a whole, due to the filling ingredient and the end seams closing it, assumes an approximate shape best adapted to support the longitudinal arch of the foot.

This structure when inserted in a shoe forms a cushion support for the arch, aiding greatly in the comfort of walking or standing, and is particularly adapted for those professions which require continuous use of the feet. It exercises a strong corrective action for the building up and strengthening of weak or flattened arches, and obviously as the condition is partially corrected the height of the arch may be built up to provide a continued and adequate support.

The presentinvention is not to be confused with relatively rigid and non-yielding supports commonly employed for this type of correction, as such supports from their very characteristics cannot provide an adequate and comfortable support for the multitudinous arches which are found without being exactly fitted to each arch. Thereafter strengthening and lifting of the arch requires progressive changes in the support, all of whichmay be accomplished simply and readily with the present type. The employment of the sponge rubber scrap as a filling ingredient is highly effective, as this material tends to maintain the position in which it is packed within the pocket, and does not disintegrate or migrate from'one part of the pocket to another when pressure is placed thereon. Obviously this constitutes a very material advantage over the usual granular materials which are bound to migrate unless packed so tightly as to make the support virtually unyielding.

What is claimed is: r

1. An arch supporting insert comprising a slip sole provided with a distensible pocket in the region of the shank, the pocket extending completely across the slip sole at the shank, and having an elongated opening at the inner edge and a shorter filling opening at the opposite or outer edge, a closure of flexible material for the'inner edge opening to permit yielding and distention of the pocket, a filling received within the pocket and consisting of loosely divided yielding material capable of manual manipulation to vary the contour of the slip sole in the region of the pocket, 55

the elongated inner edge of the pocket to permit distention and variation in contour of the pocket, a filling for the pocket consisting of yielding material in loosely divided form capable of manual manipulation to vary the contour of the supporting surfacein the region of the pocket throughout the entire width of the shank, and means for closing the pocket at the outer edge to maintain the filling material within the pocket.

GEORGE BAUER. 

